Blumenthal Urges Installation of Railroad Safety Device

In wake of a recent accident, a lawmaker calls for increased safety measures on the rails.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal is calling on Metro-North Railroad to quickly install technology to prevent more fatalities.

The Connecticut Democrat headed a hearing before a congressional committee on Wednesday to examine the state of safety on the nation's passenger and freight rail networks. On a conference call with reporters, Blumenthal and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner James Redeker said a shunt that acts a red light can be installed quickly and cheaply.

Robert Luden, a 52-year-old track foreman, was struck and killed May 28 by a train at a Metro-North station under construction.

Blumenthal said the failure to install the technology is "inexplicable and inexcusable."

A spokeswoman for Metro-North did not immediately return a call seeking a response.